family

Everyone Needs a Mentor

Some time ago, a young man approached me to see if I would mentor him and his wife on how to raise a great family. I have known this man and his wife for about ten years. He is a very successful businessman who is also active in his local church. In my estimation, he is a great father and a devoted husband. As a matter of fact, I would give ...

Leadership Survival in the Family

Some time ago, I attended a seminar where I was handed a little cellophane bag tied with a blue ribbon, full of unusual goodies with a tag titled ‘Leadership Survival Kit”. I had never received a Leadership Survival Kit before, so I picked it up to have a good look. I like to think of myself as a leader, but more importantly, I want to survive. As a father with five ...

By |2020-01-18T21:36:27+10:00January 18th, 2020|Children, Dads, FAMILIES|5 Comments

Treasured Text Milestones

Sometimes you get a treasured text from your child that signifies a milestone in your relationship, or just a job well done. I remember in 2004, when we ran our first Dads and Kids Bush Camp at Wollondilly River, my daughter was 11 years old at the time. She graciously agreed to come away camping with a group of dads and kids for a ‘fun’ weekend away. She brought along a ...

By |2020-01-04T14:53:19+10:00January 4th, 2020|Children, Dads, FAMILIES|0 Comments

Health Benefits of Holidays

My friend Tony Miller used to say to me: “We are not human doings -- we are human beings.” Timely words for us in the Christmas/New Year season. We all need time off just to learn ‘how to be again’. It is amazing how quickly we can forget the need to have some Holy-days. Days for rest, days to have fun and days just to do nothing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6V8HIha3io Dr Mike’s Seven ...

By |2021-05-07T18:48:31+10:00December 28th, 2019|Dads, FAMILIES, MENS HEALTH|1 Comment

Australians Have a Love Affair with Christmas

Several years ago, Australia spent more on Christmas per capita than any other nation. The Americans are beating us this year, but we are still right up there. The average household in Australia will spend $969 each this Christmas, based on all expenses including gifts, food and decorations. That is a grand total of 18.8 billion dollars. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTn-mkLhLAM   And what about the fact that ‘Carols by Candlelight’ celebrations are held ...

By |2019-12-21T17:12:16+10:00December 21st, 2019|FAMILIES|0 Comments

Tipping Point

I have always felt that our society is at a tipping point when it comes to the restoration of fatherhood in our society. Part of that is my innate tendency to optimism. For me the glass is always half full. I can remember sharing as the conference organiser in the Main Committee Room of Parliament House at the very first National Strategic Conference on Fatherhood in 2003, saying very much in ...

By |2019-12-08T00:30:00+10:00December 8th, 2019|Dads, FAMILIES|0 Comments

No Regrets

I am fascinated by what people say and think before they leave the planet. Wisdom is sometimes very costly and as you consider the past, you can understand the future better. Dr Bruce Robinson, probably Australia’s bestselling fatherhood author, wrote his book, Fathering from the Fast Lane, because of the words that men told him on their deathbeds. Bruce is a doctor who treats those who have lung and respiratory illnesses. ...

By |2019-11-30T08:00:16+10:00November 30th, 2019|Dads, FAMILIES|3 Comments

Upshot of Love

On Father’s Day Sunday 1 September 2002, we launched the very first Dads4Kids weekly newsletter for men. Sign Up Here. We have not missed a Sunday since. It is up to eight hundred and ninety-nine issues later, and no, I am not counting. Let me share the reflection from the very first newsletter. I believe the greatest thing a father can do for his children is to love his wife. Love ...

By |2021-05-14T13:18:57+10:00October 27th, 2019|Dads, FAITH, FAMILIES, LOVE & MARRIAGE|0 Comments

The 4 Stages of Parenting

Some time ago, my friend Steve Blizard sent me a really good article by Bob Hostetler about the Four Phases of Parenthood. Bob writes the following: It came as a shock. In the course of telling a story to my friend Jon, I mentioned that I had gone into my son's room to wake him up. Jon interrupted me. "How old is Aaron?" We both knew very well how old he ...

By |2019-10-07T19:31:19+10:00October 7th, 2019|Children, Dads, FAMILIES|0 Comments

Grace-Based Parenting For Dads

The single hardest thing for any Dad is trying to get the balance right between love and discipline for his children. I often use the expression ‘grace and truth’. Grace is really another name for love. The challenge becomes more difficult the more children you have, and I think especially the more boys you have. Boys seem to find your limit and then take you past it. Boys, for wont of ...

By |2019-09-22T21:09:26+10:00September 22nd, 2019|Children, Dads, FAITH, FAMILIES|0 Comments
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